Acne & Exfoliators
Exfoliation removes skin cells from the outermost layer of the skin and improves skin texture. It is essential for skin health, and is beneficial for most skin types. Harsh exfoliators may be irritating, but exfoliators of different strengths are available. Exfoliation can improve skin imperfections such as acne and fine lines. Does this Spark an idea?
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Benefits
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Acne appears when pores are blocked, causing oil and bacteria to build up. Exfoliators can help improve acne by removing the extra oil and dead skin cells that cause the blockage to form in the first place. Exfoliation may also help to reduce the appearance of scars left by acne by removing the scar tissue in the upper layers of skin. Exfoliation promotes the growth of new skin cells that eliminate skin discolorations left by acne.
Types
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There are many products in the market that will exfoliate your skin to help with acne problem, but they can be categorized into two: physical and chemical exfoliators. A physical exfoliator uses abrasive ingredients such as a scrub, a brush or a cloth to rub off the upper skin cells. A chemical exfoliator uses ingredients such as acids and enzymes to dissolve the dead skin cells on the skin surface. Chemical exfoliators usually come in the form of topical lotion, toner or cream that you apply on the skin.
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Physical Exfoliators
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Facial brushes, abrasive sponges and washcloths can be used for exfoliation, but they are difficult to clean and they are less effective and harsher compared to other methods. They also exfoliate unevenly and remove only the skin cells on the very top skin surface/ Cosmetic scrubs can more effectively and evenly remove dead skin cells, but some of them may contain harsh abrasive and irritating ingredients. A gentle homemade scrub face wash can be easily put together by mixing baking soda and a gentle facial soap. In general, physical exfoliators tend to be harsher than chemical exfoliators. They may irritate the skin and exacerbate existing acne, especially if used on the more sensitive facial skin.
Chemical Exfoliators
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The most common chemical exfoliators are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) or salicylic acid. BHA is gentler than AHAs, and also more effective for acne-prone skin because it is oil-soluble, so it can penetrate the oil in the pores and remove the built-up skin cells inside the oil gland. BHA works best when the concentration of the acid in the product is between one to two percent. Moreover, the pH of the product, which measures its degree of acidity, should be three to four to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Considerations
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Harsh exfoliators can increase oil production and worsen acne problem, so be patient and do not over-exfoliate acne-prone skin. Over-exfoliation may also lead to dry, reddened or irritated skin. Exfoliation may increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, so apply sunscreen regularly and wear sun protective clothing.
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References
- Photo Credit face image by Patrizier-Design from Fotolia.com
